How to Paint Aluminum Siding

You can paint aluminum siding.

Aluminum siding can start to look weathered and shabby as the years go by. If you don't want to invest the money in replacing the siding, consider painting it. You'll have a brand new look for a lot less money. When done properly, painted aluminum siding comes out looking terrific. Regular painting supplies are all that is needed to apply the paint, although a paint sprayer can be used if desired.

Difficulty:

Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Oil based metal priming paint
• Soapy dishwater solution
• 5 gallon bucket
• Hose
• Medium bristle scrub brush
• Pole sander
• Acrylic latex exterior house paint
• Paint brushes and rollers
• Ladder, if applicable

1. Clean the siding well. It's easiest and fastest with a pole sander. Attach a nylon bristle scrub brush to the sander and dip it into a soapy dishwater solution in a 5-gallon bucket. You can use a scrub brush on a pole or a ladder and a scrubber or big sponge. Be sure that all of the siding is reached and cleaned well.

2. Rinse very thoroughly with a hose. Don't worry if some color comes off with the cleaning. Just keep rinsing until all the soap has been rinsed off. The siding will need to dry thoroughly. Wait three or four days before going on to the next step.

3. Prime the siding with an oil-based metal primer. If your finish paint is a medium to deep color, you can have the primer tinted a little lighter than the paint color for better coverage. Although the primer is a little more time and money to use, it will greatly extend the life of the paint as well as give you a much smoother finish and better coverage. Paint just as you would any house finish by using a brush or a roller.

4. Put the finish coat on within 48 hours of the primer. Painting on a still, overcast day is ideal. Don't paint on windy days or in direct sunlight. Your new finish should last for years.

Tips & Warnings

• Buy really good quality paint and primer for a finish that will last. A spray painter will speed up the paint application, but in most cases the paint will have to be thinned before using.

• Use oil based paint primer only. Latex reacts with aluminum causing tiny bubbles which will compromise the finish in time.